Celtics (20-7) vs. Bucks (19-10)
December 9, 1979
MECCA Arena
After a flat performance the prior night in Cleveland, the Celtics arrived at 400 West Kilbourn Avenue with a plan to re-insert themselves in first place in the Atlantic Division with a victory over an NBA stalwart in their final year in the Western Conference.
The Bucks played their home games at the Milwaukee Exposition and Convention Center and Arena, known fondly as the MECCA, and it provided one of the best home court advantages. Unlike the Bradley Center, where the Bucks moved in 1988 in hopes of luring an NHL franchise, this building was designed specifically for basketball. A capacity crowd of 10,938 packed into the building to catch their first glimpse of Larry Bird as a Celtic, and per usual, the man wearing #33 did not disappoint. Bird led the Celtics with 25 points in 113-108 victory over the Bucks.
Robert Indiana shows off the MECCA floor he proudly designed
In addition to Bird’s near triple double of 25...

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